Apples (Malus domestica)

We have VERY limited quantities of grafted apples this year. We will be increasing the amount we can offer in the coming seasons.

Apples are a classic fruit that no food forest or orchard is complete without. Generally very cold hardy and long lived. Like most trees, apples prefer well drained, fertile soil but can tolerate other soils, depending on what rootstock is used. All our apples are grafted onto M111, which is an excellent all purpose, semi standard rootstock that tolerates a wide range of soils. You can expect trees grafted on M111 to grow to 15-25’ tall if left unpruned, but a smaller size can be achieved through pruning. Below is a brief description of the cultivars we have available this fall. For a more detailed look at each apple we suggest checking out www.pomiferous.com. They have a massive amount of information on just about any apple you can think of. Also, when we reference an apple being good for cider we are referring to hard cider, unless otherwise specified. 

Pollination: Apples generally need another variety for pollination. Apples are put into pollination groups A, B, C or D based on their bloom time, A being the earliest group to bloom and D being the latest. For best pollination select varieties that are in the same or at least adjacent pollination groups. 

Harvest periods: Apple varieties are lumped into “harvest periods” 1-6. These periods roughly correspond to the months of June though December in many parts of the country (i.e. 1 = June, 6 = December), but depending on climate can move forward or backward on the calender. A simple way to think about it is that low numbers mean early ripening and high numbers mean late ripening.

Black Oxford: An old variety from Maine. Very dark purple, almost black skin. A very versatile apple good for fresh eating, cider and baking. Fruit ripens in the fifth period. Stores very well. Pollination group D.  Hardy to zone 4. These are 1st year grafts and are at least 24" tall.

Bullock: An old variety also known as American Golden Russet. The skin is yellow and russeted. The fruit ripens early in the fifth period and is excellent for fresh eating or cider making. A wonderful multi use apple. Pollination group C. Hardy to zone 4. These are second year grafts and are at least 36" tall. 

Campfield: An old variety that produces yellow/red apples that ripen in the fifth period. Best known for making outstanding cider, but also useful for cooking. Pollination group C. Hardy to zone 5. These are 1st year grafts and are at least 20" tall.

Dabinett: An outstanding cider apple from the UK. Not generally used for purposes other than cider. The fruit is green with a red blush and ripens in the fifth period. Pollination group D. Hardy to zone 5. These are 1st year grafts and are at least 24" tall.

Enterprise: A modern apple that was bred for disease resistance. It is a good option for organic growers looking to use no or low spray methods. The green/red fruit ripens in the fifth period and is good for fresh eating and cooking. Stores well. Pollination group D. Hardy to zone 4. These are 1st year grafts and are at least 24" tall.

Freedom: A fantastic modern apple that is quite disease resistant. Wonderful for fresh eating and cooking and also a very respectable cider apple. The yellow/red fruit ripens in the fifth period. Pollination group D. Hardy to zone 4. These are 2nd year grafts and are at least 36" tall.

Harrison: An old and nearly lost apple that was central to cider production pre-prohibition. Harrison produces excellent cider, which is its primary use, however it is also a good fresh eating apple, but stores poorly. Pollination group E. Fruit ripens in the fifth period. Hardy to zone 4. These are 1st year grafts and are at least 20" tall.

Idared: A cultivar released in the 40s. Idared is a multiuse apple that is excellent for baking and fresh eating, but also useful in cider making. Produces heavy crops annually. The mostly red fruit ripens in the fourth period. Pollination group B. Hardy to zone 3. These are 2nd year grafts and are at least 36" tall.

Keepsake: A cultivar released in the 70s that is fairly disease resistant and an excellent storage apple. An easy to grow apple that is a good choice for organic or low spray growers. The green/red fruit is a fantastic multiuse apple and ripens in the fifth period. Pollination group D. Hardy to zone 3. These are 1st year grafts and are at least 24" tall.

Liberty: A cultivar developed in NY in the 60s. Very disease resistant and vigorous grower. Of all the apples we are growing, Liberty has been the most successful so far. It grows fast and strong and has had no issues to speak of. The red and yellow/green fruit is a true multiuse apple excelling as a fresh eating, cooking and cider apple. Ripens in the fifth period. Pollination group B. Hardy to zone 4. These are 1st year grafts and are at least 24" tall.

Sansa: A cultivar released in the 80s. A great early season multiuse apple. The yellow, red/pink fruit ripens in the third period. It does not store well. Pollination group C. Hardy to zone 4. These are 1st year grafts and are at least 24" tall.

Williams' Pride: A cultivar released in the 80s that was bred for disease resistance. A very reliable, early ripening apple. An easy to grow apple that is great for organic or low spray growers. The red/purple fruit ripen in the third period and is multiuse. Pollination group B. Hardy to zone 4. These are 1st year grafts and are at least 20" tall.

Image of fruit by Lichtsammler via Pixabay